The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, met today with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Austria, Klaudia Tanner, during his official visit to that country, which was carried out at the invitation of Minister Tanner.
Minister Helez assessed the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense as very successful. He particularly emphasized the importance of the education of members of the Armed Forces of BiH and the education of BiH cadets in the Republic of Austria, which is one of the indicators of the development of friendly relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Austria.
“The Republic of Austria, in addition to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Croatia and Turkey, is a key partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Euro-Atlantic path,” emphasized Minister Helez.
He also thanked for the great contribution that Austria has been providing for many years through its leadership and participation in the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and expressed the expectation that this type of support will continue in the same form and capacity in the coming period, with the aim of reflecting a safe and stable surroundings.
In this context, Minister Tanner agreed with Minister Helez’s proposal about the EUFOR mission in BiH, and added that “it should be extended its mandate and increase the number of members.” She praised the cooperation between the two ministries so far, with the expectation that it will continue in the following period, and a return visit by Minister Tanner was also agreed upon.
A special topic of discussion was the establishment of the Defense and Security College of the Western Balkans, whose headquarters would be in Sarajevo, and it was a European Union project whose leaders would be the Republic of Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and whose establishment and financing would be borne by the European Union.
They also discussed the security challenges in the region and beyond caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the current situation in Kosovo.
In the continuation of the visit, it is planned that the delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will attend the ceremonial promotion of cadets at the prestigious Teresian Military Academy, where cadets from Bosnia and Herzegovina are also trained.
